m. BILL 010497 - Re parking for handicapped persons. BILL 010608 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 010621 - " " " " " BILL 010636 - Regulating traffic on... BILL 010637 - Authorizing Aspen Street Corp. to... BILL 010693 - Authorizing Charles McNeill to... BILL 010713 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 010714 - " " " " " BILL 010715 - Authorizing Water Commissioner to... BILL 010716 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 010717 - Authorizing Water Commissioner to... BILL 010720 - Authorizing Whole Foods Market to... BILL 010741 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020049 - Held at request of sponsor. BILL 020051 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020073 - " " " " " BILL 020074 - " " " " " BILL 020090 - Establishing no-truck-parking reg. BILL 020091 - Authorizing Water Commissioner to... BILL 020093 - Construction of sanitary sewers on... BILL 020096 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020097 - Permitting newsstand owner to... BILL 020098 - Construction of water main in... BILL 020117 - Re Sidewalk Vendors on Pine Street... BILL 020118 - Withdrawn. BILL 020120 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020121 - Authorizing paving of Reilly Avenue... BILL 020122 - Held at request of sponsor. BILL 020141 - Authorizing Buca Restaurants to... COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Frank DiCicco, Chair W. Wilson Goode Jr. Angel Ortiz Darrell L. Clarke Richard T. Mariano Frank Rizzo David Cohen Donna Reed Miller VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES INDEX WITNESS: BILL 010636 Charles Denny, Streets.......................... BILL 020090 Charles Denny, Streets.......................... BILL 010637 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 010639 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 010720 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 020097 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 020141 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 010715, 010717 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 15 BILL 020091 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 23 16 BILL 020093 17 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 30 BILL 020098 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 31 BILL 010608 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 33 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 34 BILL 010621 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 35 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 36 BILL 010713 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 37 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 37 Paul Deegan, PIDC, PAID......................... ) BILL 010714 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 41 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 42 BILL 010716 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 43 BILL 010741 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 45 Martin Soffer, City Planing..................... 46 BILL 020051 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 48 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 49 M. Volpe, Logan Square Neighborhood Association 50 BILL 020073 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 52 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 53 BILL 020074 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 54 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 55 John Meechum, St. Ignatius Nursing Home......... 56 BILL 020096 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 57 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 57 BILL 020120 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 59 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 60 M. , Counsel, Mastromarco Brothers... 61 Grace Gibson, Quality Heating & Sheet Metal..... 62 BILL 020121 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. , L&I.......................... 70 BILL 010497 E. Lowery, Phila.
Veterans Advisory Commission 80 Richard Dixon, Philadelphia Parking Authority 100 Thomas Finnerty, Director, Veterans Advisory... 103 Al Thompson.................................... 105 John Plenskofski, Veteran...................... 119 Bob Bartlett, former Marine Corps Sergeant..... 146 4 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010636
Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon, everyone. This is the Committee on Streets and Services. We are here today to have a public hearing. If anyone wishes to testify, aside from the departments, the City departments, would you please see the gentleman behind me, David, and give him your name and the bill that you wish to testify on. Committee members in attendance today are Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, Councilman Darrell Clarke, Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr., Councilman David Cohen, and Councilman Richard Mariano. Bill No. 020118 is being withdrawn. The clerk will read the title of the first bill. What we will do is, we may take the bills not in the order in which they may be on the calendar. What we try to do is get the bills that we understand will have no testimony, or the least amount of testimony, to get those out quicker so you don't have to wait all day for those bills. We're pretty successful in doing that, and we're going to try to do that again today. Okay, the clerk will read the title of 5 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010636 the first bill to be heard.
Bill 010636, an ordinance 4 regulating the direction of movement of traffic on Pickering Street from Greenwood Avenue to Vernon Road.
Is there anyone here to testify on that bill? Please approach the witness table and please identify yourself for the record. Also let the record note that Councilman Rizzo is now in attendance as well as. Thank you. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, Chairman and committee members. My name is Charles Denny, the Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer, and I'm here to testify on Bill 010636. The Streets Department supports this bill. We posted the regulation on February 1st and --
Excuse me, excuse me. The public hearing is now in session, and I would ask those who need to have conversations if they would do so outside of the chambers. It's very 6 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010636 difficult to hear the witnesses. Thank you. Thank you. Please proceed.
The Streets Department supports this bill. We posted this regulation on February 1, 2002. We have no negative reports from the neighborhood.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on the billions bill? (No response.)
Hearing none -- I also note for the record that Councilman Ortiz, who's also a member of the Streets and Services Committee, is now here as well. - - - 7 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020090
The clerk will please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 020090, an ordinance 5 establishing a no-truck parking regulation on the 8200 block of Temple Road, both sides, from Mt. Airy Avenue to Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
Good afternoon. Again, my name is Charles Denny. I'm here to testify on Bill 12 020090. The Streets Department has no objections to this bill, but we did do recommend the regulation be posted under trial ordinance. A hearing will be held six months, and the area residents and businesses would have an opportunity to comment on this regulation at that time after seeing how the regulation operates. We have issued a work order to post the signs, and they should be installed shortly.
Anyone else here who 8 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020090 wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 9 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010637
Bill 010637, an ordinance 3 granting permission to Aspen Street Corporation, owner of Rembrandt's, to operate and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe on the north footway of Aspen Street, adjacent to 741 through 743 North 23rd Street, under certain terms and conditions. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to testify on Bill No. 13 010637 on behalf of the Department. This bill authorizes Aspen Street Corporation, owner of Rembrandt's Restaurant, to operate an open-air sidewalk cafe on the northeast corner of 23rd and Aspen Streets. Ten tables are proposed on the north footway of Aspen Street, no 19 rails will be used, a minimum of eight feet of clear width will be maintained for pedestrians. All encroachments leave adequate width and clearance of unobstructed footway. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 24 objection to the passage of this bill.
Thank you. 10 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010637 Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 11 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010693
Bill No. 3 010693, an ordinance authorizing Charles McNeil, owner of the property located at 432 South 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19143, to construct, use, and maintain a wooden deck extension with support columns on and over the south footway of Osage Avenue, adjacent to the property 432 South 48th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. Again, my name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm also here to testify on Bill No. 010693 on behalf of the Department. This bill allows Mr. Charles McNeil to construct and maintain a deck extension projecting into the south footway of Osage Avenue from the side of his two-story, end-rowhouse property known as 432 South 48th Street. The Streets Department has reviewed plans for this deck. The deck will leave a clear footway width of approximately nine feet. This encroachment leaves adequate width and clearance of unobstructed footway. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 25 objection to the passage of the bill. 12 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010693
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 13 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010720
Bill No. 010720, an ordinance 3 amending Section 4 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 000262), entitled "An ordinance authorizing Whole Foods Market Group, Inc., tenant of the property located at 929 South Street. Philadelphia, PA, 19147, to construct and maintain various encroachments in and on the north footway of South Street and the east footway of Tenth Street, adjacent to the property 929 South Street," all under certain terms and conditions, by extending the period for compliance with the authorization and conditions therein.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. Again, my name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to testify on Bill 18 No. 010720 on behalf of the Department. This bill authorizes Whole Foods Market Group, Inc., tenants of the property located at 929 South Street, to extend the period for compliance of the terms of the original bill (Bill No. 000262). Whole Foods wishes to construct and maintain the following encroachments on the public rights-of-way surrounding the Fresh Fields Supermarket: 14 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010720 Seven brick face planters on the north footway of South Street; Two brick face planters on the east footway of Tenth Street; Three metal bike racks in the north footway of South Street; and A metal pipe bollard located in the east footway of Ninth Street, near Rodman Street. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no 12 objection to the passage of the bill.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 15 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020097
Bill 020097, an ordinance 3 granting permission to Raju Desai and Nehal Desai, owners of the newsstand located at the southeast corner of Broad Street and Chestnut Streets, to construct, use, and maintain an electrical conduit and an electrical service line and telecommunications conduit and telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way of Chestnut Street for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to their newsstand, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to testify on Bill No. 17 020097 on behalf of the Department. This bill grants permission to Raju Desai and Nahal Desai, owners of the newsstand located on the southeast corner of Broad and Chestnut Street, to construct, use, and maintain underground electrical and telephone service lines in and under the public rights-of-way of Chestnut Street for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to their newsstand. 16 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020097 The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no 4 objection to the passage of the bill.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 17 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020141
Bill 020141, an ordinance 3 authorizing Buca Restaurants, Inc., a tenant of the property 1501 through 1509 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, to construct and maintain two statues in the west footway of 15th Street adjacent to the property 1501 through 1509 Spruce Streets, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to also testify on Bill No. 13 020141 on behalf of the Department. This bill authorizes Buca Restaurants, Inc. to install and maintain two concrete statues with anchored bases on and above the public footways of South 15th Street for the restaurant being developed in the Avenue of the Arts parking garage commercial first-floor space. The statues encroach into the west footway of 15th Street and are approximately 6-feet-8-inches high, leaving a minium clear footway passage of 10-foot-4-inches. The statues leave adequate width and clearance of unobstructed footway. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 18 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020141 objection to the passage of the bill.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 19 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010715
Bill No. 010715, an ordinance 3 to authorize the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with C.I.P. Housing L.P., the owner of the property at 38 through 60 West Rittenhouse Street for the grant of right-of-way to the City for drainage, sewer, water, and water main purposes, extending from the southeasterly line of Rittenhouse Street to approximately 121 feet southeasterly of the southeasterly line of Rittenhouse, under certain terms and conditions. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, gentlemen, Committee members. My name is Paul McCloskey, with the City Water Department. I'd like to testify on this bill and also an accompanying bill, Bill No. 010717. Basically, these two ordinances authorize two right-of-way agreements granted by C.I.P. and also to the Water Department for a 50-foot drainage right-of-way through 38 through 60 Rittenhouse Street and also through 5830 through 5838 Germantown Avenue. 20 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010715 A firm known as C.I.P. Housing is currently constructing a retirement center for low- to moderate-income people at 3850 West Rittenhouse Street, near the corner of Germantown Avenue. The center is fully funded. The corner of Germantown Avenue and Rittenhouse Street, which is 5830 through 38 Germantown Avenue, is an outreach center owned and operated by Vincent Villa, a subsidiary of St. Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church. The two groups work in unison to service the community. In order to construct the project, C.I.P. Housing must relocate an existing City sewer through their property and Vincent Villa's property. The new sewer is being built to City standards and under City inspection. In order for the City to accept the relocated sewer, C.I.P. Housing and Vincent Villa must grant the above bills authorizing the acceptance of the rights-of-way. In addition to the testimony I have submitted, I would also like to bring out that Brother Alvin Smith of St. Vincent DePaul's Roman Catholic Church, without his help and understanding, this project would not have been able to have gone through. He's a giant in the community. 21 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010717 I recommend that these bills be favorably voted out of committee.
Okay. The clerk will read the title of that bill; we never got that into the record.
Bill No. 010717, an ordinance 14 to authorize the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into agreement with Villa Vincent, Inc., the owner of the property at 5830 through 5838 Germantown Avenue for the grant of right-of-way to the City for drainage, sewer, and water main purposes extending westerly of Germantown Avenue, thence northerly to the southeasterly line of Rittenhouse Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.) 22 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010717
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 23 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091
Bill 020091, an ordinance 3 authorizing the construction of sewers and appurtenant work in portions of Green Lane.
Yes. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name, again, is Paul McCloskey, City of Philadelphia Water Department. Bill No. 020091 authorizes the Water Department to construct a sanitary sewer in Green Lane from Broad Street to Old York Road. Green Lane is a mixed block of single-family dwellings and houses converted to apartments on the south side and the DeBenedict old cemetery on the north side. The street is located in the West Oak Lane/Fern Rock section of the City. The block is currently being serviced by individual cess pools for each property. These onsite systems have outlived their usefulness and require a total replacement. However, it is doubtful, under the current Commonwealth regulations, that the systems will be allowed to be rebuilt. The malfunctioning of septic systems have created an unsanitary condition. In light of the fact that the residents 24 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091 are serviced by public water, the residents have requested a public sewer. Assessment shall be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction, and the residents shall be required to connect to the new sewer at their cost, in accordance with City code. We recommend that these bills be favorably reported out of committee.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? Councilman Rizzo.
It's an interesting issue about the number of septic systems that we have throughout the City, and I would hope and I think we need to do some -- we really need to start visiting that issue, because I understand we have a few thousands of these throughout the far Northeast, Somerton in the northwest. And I'm hoping that we could identify these water-only customers and start to do something about this. Some of these systems are over a hundred years old. And I don't know the quality of the maintenance that these systems receive, but I 25 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091 really think this is an issue that the Water Department should be out front on. And I would appreciate -- when I had a conversation with Dick Roy, Commissioner Roy, many, many months ago, and I think we really need to start looking at this as a citywide issue to determine how many systems we have out there, what the possibilities are of running and connecting to -- and I'm realistic, I understand that there are some areas where there's no main to hook up to, and it would be very, very, very expensive. But, again, the quality of the onsite systems that we have, the health ramifications of systems that aren't functioning properly, I really think it's something that we need to look at. So I would appreciate you going back and telling the Commissioner that I think we really need to look at that, and I'd appreciate him reaching out to me to reestablish that conversation.
Am I right that there may be as many as over 2,000 systems?
To my knowledge, there's 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091 200 miles of water-only customers in the City of Philadelphia?
There are 200 miles of frontage of houses that do not have public sewer; they're water only.
These could be private sewers, or it could be cesspools. It's unique in that South Philly and also in North Philly, there are also a number of private sewers. As the town grew, the City could not keep up, but private developers could. We address them as they come up. Obviously, there are areas that may never get them because of the terrain.
But I think it's something that we really should be focused on, to not wait to have a serious health issue that we need to deal with, especially if they're confined to a specific community where all of a sudden, we could have a serious problem. 27 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091
All right, another guy. Okay. Any other questions from the committee for this witness? (No further questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) - - - 28 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020122
Before we read the title for the next bill, for the record, I want to let the committee know that Bill No. 020122 is being held at the request of the sponsor, Councilman Clarke. - - - 29 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020093
Please proceed with the reading of the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 020093, an ordinance 5 authorizing the construction of sanitary sewers and appurtenant work in portions of Brierdale Road and Graykyn Lane.
Again, gentlemen, my name is Paul McCloskey, with the City of Philadelphia Water Department. Bill No. 020093 authorizes the Water Department to construct a sanitary sewer at Brierdale Road from (indiscernible) Road to Graykyn Lane, and in Graykyn Lane from Ridge Avenue to Brierdale Road. Graykyn Lane and Brierdale Road are blocks of single-family dwellings in the upper Roxborough section of the City. The properties are currently being served by individual cesspools for each property. These onsite systems have outlived their usefulness and require a total replacement. Again, it is doubtful that the Commonwealth regulations will allow systems to be rebuilt. Malfunctioning septic systems can create an unsanitary condition. In light of the fact that the residents 30 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020093 are served by public water, residences have requested a public sewer. Assessments should be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction, and the residents shall be required to connect the new sewer at their costs, in accordance with City code. We recommend that the bill be favorably reported out of committee.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 31 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020098
Bill No. 020098, an ordinance 3 authorizing the construction of a water main and appurtenant work in portions of Sigel Street.
Again, my name is Paul McCloskey with the City of Philadelphia Water Department. Bill No. 020098 authorizes the Water Department to construct a water main in Sigel Street from 11th Street to a dead-end approximately 204 feet west of 11th Street. Primarily, Sigel Street consists of rear garages that were subdivided from rowhouse properties on Mifflin and Moore Streets. The street is located in South Philadelphia. The garages are utilized by various small businesses of store houses and workshops. The businessmen are cabinet-makers, plumbers, painters, roofers, and so on. A sausage factory is also present. When the garages were subdivided from the rowhouses, the water feeds from the houses were terminated. The businessmen have petitioned the City to provide a public water main in order to operate their businesses. The street currently has an existing sewer in need of replacement. As part of 32 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020098 the sewer reconstruction project, the water main will be added. This will provide a substantial savings for the construction of the new utility. In order to encourage the development of small businesses to the area, we recommend this bill 7 be favorably reported out of committee. Assessments shall be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction, and the residents will be required to connect to the new water main in accordance with City code.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 33 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010608
Bill No. 010608, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Cuthbert Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, under certain terms and conditions. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010608. This is not an administration ordinance 16 but an ordinance requested by Mr. John Gatuso, Senior Vice President, National Marketing Urban Development of Liberty Property Trust, 65 Valley Street, Parkway Great Valley Corporate Center, Malvern, Pennsylvania. The purpose of this ordinance to strike and vacate Cuthbert Street to build a 52-story office complex. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets, and is recommended to your committee for favorable recommendation. 34 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010608
Good afternoon, Chairman DiCicco and members of the Streets and Service Committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and today I'm here to present testimony on behalf of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. The purpose of this ordinance is to remove a minor street and allow for the construction of a 52-story, 71,000-square-foot office building, and at a later date, a 17-story, 19,000-square-foot building. Therefore, by action at its meeting on November 15, 2001, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 010608 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 35 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010621
Bill No. 010621, an ordinance 3 amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 990606), approved June 24, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Sharswood Street from 22nd Street to 23rd Street, by striking from the City Plan and vacating Harlan Street from 22nd Street to 23rd Street, and by reserving and placing on the City Plan a certain right-of-way for gas main purposes," all under certain terms and conditions, by extending the time for compliance with the conditions stated therein.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010621. This is not an administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Requested by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the compliance time of an ordinance approved 36 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010621 June 24, 1999. The purpose of that ordinance was to grant the legal authority to strike these streets to facilitate the development of the Sharswood Apartments. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer, with the City Planning Commission. The purpose of this ordinance is to facilitate the construction of the proposed Sharswood Apartments located in North Philadelphia. Therefore, by its action of its meeting of May 20, 1999, the Planning Commission recommends approval of Bill No. 010621. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) 37 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - -
Bill No. 010713, an ordinance 6 authorizing the revision lines grades on a portion of City Plan No. 194 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Bodine Street from Diamond Street to Susquehannah Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010713. This is not an administration ordinance 17 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Paul Deegan of PIDC, 2600 Centre Square West, 1500 Market Street. The purpose of this ordinance is to legally close Bodine Street to expand an existing industrial building within the Empowerment Zone. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and 38 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713 members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to facilitate the consolidation of land and the construction of a 50,000-square-foot industrial building located in the North American Street Enterprise Zone. By action at its meeting of January 16, 2002, the Planning Commission recommends approval of Bill No. 010713. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Deegan, D-E-E-G-A-N. I represent PIDC and PAID, the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development. Without duplicating what Mr. Lonie and Mr. Soffer have said, we're the party that's interested in the ordinance. I have submitted written testimony. I also have a plan, if the Committee would like to see the location of the street being stricken. What we're doing under the lead of the Commerce Department is assembling to complete the 39 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713 block between Third Street, American Street, Diamond Street, and Susquehannah Avenue. There are a number of vacant and blighted residential, commercial, and industrial properties, and we're trying to create new development sites in the American Street Empowerment Zone. Most of the properties are vacant; some are already in City ownership or PAID ownership. By removing a small street and rezoning the blight with G2 industrial, which was heard this morning by the Rules Committee, so, Mr. Chairman, if this all sounds familiar, you heard the same testimony this morning. By striking the street, we will create a site with adequate size and depth for a modern industrial building. The Commerce Department and PIDC are working with an existing company, Reline Centers of America, for the redevelopment of this site. Reline is located at 148 Poplar Street, and they're being relocated as part of the Schmidt's Plaza retail development. They intend to build a new 50,000- square-foot warehouse, and they intend to retain their 30 existing jobs and create 30 new jobs in the 40 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713 first year. I ask that the committee considerate the bill favorably and that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at the next regularly scheduled meeting of Council. Thank you for the opportunity to testify, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 41 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010714
Bill No. 010714, an ordinance 3 amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 990373), approved July 1, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 207 by striking from the City Plan and vacating 13th Street from Wagner Street southwardly to a SEPTA right-of-way, and by striking from the City plan Duncannon Avenue from Wagner Street to 13th Street," under certain terms and conditions, by extending the period for compliance with the authorization and conditions therein.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010714. This is not an administration ordinance 20 but an ordinance requested by Reverend Harry B. Stewart of the Fair Havens Baptist Church, 1250 Wagner Street. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the compliance time of an ordinance approved July 1, 1999. The purpose of that ordinance was to 42 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010714 legally close 13th Street and allow the expansion of the grounds of Fair Havens Baptist Church. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable recommendation.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to eliminate short-dumping and permit the subject area to be secured and used as a play area for the adjacent child care facility located in Logan. Therefore, by action at its meeting of June 19, 1999, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 010714 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. 43 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010716
Bill No. 010716, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 284 by relocating a portion of the northerly curbline and house line of Germantown Avenue a variable distance northwardly from a point approximately 719 feet southeast of Northwestern Avenue to a point approximately 400 feet southeastwardly therefrom and by placing on the City Plan a certain 25-feet-wide right-of-way for drainage purposes, water main purposes, and gas main purposes, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name, again, is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010716. This is an administration ordinance 19 requested by the Streets Department. The purpose of this ordinance is to relocate a portion of the curb and house lines of Germantown Avenue to facilitate the construction of the Germantown Avenue Bridge. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to the committee for favorable action. 44 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010716
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 45 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010741
Bill No. 010741, an ordinance 3 amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 990834), approved December 30, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 246 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of 45th Street, Saybrook Street, and Melville Street," under certain terms and conditions, by extending the period for compliance with the authorization conditions therein.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010741. This is not an administration ordinance 18 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Gary Reisel, Vice President for Finance and Administration of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Their address is 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the compliance time of an ordinance approved December 30, 1999. The purpose of that ordinance 25 was to grant the legal authority to strike these 46 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010741 streets and construct a campus plaza walkway and consolidate noncontiguous parcels. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to vacate two minor streets and permit the consolidation and expansion of the campus of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Likewise, this would allow for the construction of a campus plaza walkway and a new academic building in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Therefore, by action at its meeting on December 2, 1999, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 010741 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who 47 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010741 wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 48 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051
Bill 020051, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Bonsall Street from Race Street northwardly to the Vine Street extension (I-676), more or less, by striking from the City Plan and vacating the western-most ten-foot-wide portion of 23rd Street from Race Street to the Vine Street extension (I-676), more or less, and by striking from the City Plan Summer Street from Bonsall Street northwestwardly to the Vine Street Extension (I-676), more or less, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020051. This is not an administration ordinance 21 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Jack Weiner, Esquire, of Askot & Weiner, 1811 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. The purpose of this ordinance is to strike and vacate these streets to facilitate the 49 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051 development of a nine-story apartment building with parking facilities at grade, a five-story garage, and 35 houses. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the assembly of a 4.1-acre parcel of land for development. This action will allow for the construction of a 9-story, 273-unit apartment building, which will also include a 5-story, 410-parking-space garage. Therefore, by action at its meeting on February 20, 2002, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 020051 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? 50 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051 Please step up to the witness table. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, sir. Please identify yourself for the record and speak directly into the microphone.
Yes. My name is Michael Volpe, and I am a member of the board of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. I was authorized by the current president and the board to come and testify on behalf of this bill. At the time -- well, Dennis Mellumium (ph) Corporation was building this proposed project, came to the board, and presented his plans, and the board voted to approve those plans and to support them before the various legislative bodies to which they needed approval. Also, at the time after the board approved the plan, it authorized -- and I, as the then-president of the Neighborhood Association at the time, held a public meeting for all of the affected residents of all of the surrounding streets and the various buildings that look out on the site. That meeting was held. Dennis Mellumium presented his plans before all of those affected residents. 51 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051 And at the conclusion of that meeting, the contiguous residents voted to approve the plan.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Anyone else here who wishes to testify on behalf of this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 52 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020073
Bill 020073, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 23S by striking from the City Plan and vacating Bambrey Street from Morris Street to Moore Street and by reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for drainage purposes, water main purposes, and gas main purposes within the lines of Bambrey Street being stricken from the City Plan and vacated under the authority of this ordinance, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020073. This is not an administration ordinance 19 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Anthony Simariglio, President of Marco Manufacturing. The purpose of this ordinance is to legally close Bambrey Street to prevent crime and illegal dumping. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action. 53 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020073
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The Planning Commission staff has reviewed this bill, which would permit the adjacent business owners to, first, eliminate short-dumping; and, second, to permit the area to be secured and facilitate truck access to existing loading docks. The City Planning Commission will approve this bill at its next meeting of March 20, 2002. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 54 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020074
Bill No. 020074, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 107 of an area bounded by Fairmount Avenue, 44th Street, Haverford Avenue and 46th Street, by striking from the City Plan and vacating Melville Place from Fairmount Avenue to a dead-end southwardly, Lex Street from Fairmount Avenue to Melon Place, and Melon Place from 44th Street to a dead-end westwardly; by striking from the City Plan and vacating the southern-most 38-feet-wide portion of Fairmount Avenue from a point 80 feet by west of Lex Street and by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain 14-foot-wide right-of-way extending from Melville Place to 46th Street, and a certain variable width right-of-way to extending from Melon Place to former Wallace Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020074. This is not an administration ordinance 25 but an ordinance requested by Diamond Associates 55 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020074 Real Estate Development, who represents St. Ignatius Nursing Home. The purpose of this ordinance is to legally close these unpaved streets to allow St. Ignatius Nursing Home to develop an additional facility for independent elderly housing across the street from its present location. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The Planning Commission staff has reviewed this bill, which would permit the consolidation of land for the construction of a 46-unit nursing home located in the Mill Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The planning staff will recommend that the Planning Commission approve this bill at its next meeting of March 20, 2002. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. 56 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020074
Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record.
John Meechum, Associate Administrator at St. Ignatius Nursing Home. We wish the committee to approve this bill. This is the first phase in the development of a three-phase project to independent housing with supportive services for the elderly on this site. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Any questions from the committee? (No questions.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 57 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020096
Bill 020096, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 231 by relocating certain portions of Canton Street from Leverington Avenue northwestwardly to a point approximately 200 feet northwestwardly therefrom, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020096. This is an administration ordinance 15 requested by Judge Pamela Pryor-Dembe. The purpose of this ordinance is to align Canton Street with the existing physical locations and conditions. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The Planning Commission staff has reviewed this bill, which would realign the paper street to the actual, physical built street. The 58 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020096 City Planning Commission staff will recommend that the City Planning Commission approve this bill at its next meeting of March 20, 2002. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 59 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120
Bill No. 020120, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 358 by striking from the City Plan Whitten Street from Haldeman Avenue to Jamison Street and by placing on the City Plan Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City, free and clear of all encumbrances, of the beds of Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue.
Mr. Chairman, the Streets Department would like to offer an amendment to this bill at the request of Councilman O'Neill. Would you like me to read that into the record?
I don't know if we have to read it into the record. The stenographer has a copy. There's one correction. To the stenographer: It should be at the last sentence in Section e. "The agreement shall provide that this work be completed within three years," as opposed to one year. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is, again, Paul Lonie, Survey 60 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020120. This is not an administration ordinance 6 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Carl Mastromarco, President of Marco Brothers Incorporated, 946 Rosa Avenue, Croyden. The purpose of this ordinance is to strike and vacate Whitten Street from the City Plan and place Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue all on the City Plan to facilitate the development of 50 new single-family dwellings. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to place new streets to allow for the construction of 50 single-family detached dwellings on 13.7 acres of ground. The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat of subdivision on October 17, 2001. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommends 61 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 approval of Bill No. 020120. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions from the committee for these witnesses? (No questions.)
I know there are a number of witnesses who would like to testify. If you would approach the witness table at this time. Paul and Marty, maybe if you could just slide over to the other chairs. (Witnesses come forward.)
Whoever is testifying on this bill, please approach the witness table. Just one testifying? Mr. Stack, are you going first, or IS the young lady going first, or...
Oh, I think I can save the committee some time. I have the Mastromarco brothers present in Council chambers, and they're prepared to answer any questions that the members of the committee might have. Otherwise, I am not going to offer any testimony from the Mastromarco brothers. 62 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 I understand that the witness Grace Gibson would like to offer some testimony, which she has assured me is brief.
Before you begin, Miss Gibson, I just would like to ask Mr. Stack on behalf of his clients, you've had an opportunity to read the amendments, and we had a discussion at sidebar earlier today?
Just for the record, thank you. Thank you, ma'am, you may proceed.
Good afternoon. I would like to thank the committee for giving me the time to express our feelings and comments. My name is Grace Gibson, and I am an HVAC contractor, and my company is Quality Heating & Sheet Metal, and it has been in business for 33 63 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 years. As a certified WDBE, I have the opportunity to bid on City-funded work and expand my opportunities for private projects as well as. Two of my current jobs are Raymond Rosen Phase III, 153 houses; and the Federal Street scattered sites, 54 houses. We employ experienced, qualified sheet- metal mechanics. I have worked for Mastromarco, Marco Brothers on several jobs for the past seven years. Grand Manor, which is the project, is 50 beautiful homes with style and grace, which will only enhance and elevate the community surrounding it. Most private builders hire a superintendent to run their jobs. Marco Brothers do not; they personally run their jobs and oversee every aspect of every trade. They also hire subcontractors who have good reputations and good track records. Marco Brothers are the first on the job and the last to leave. In conclusion, I thank you very much for your consideration.
Thank you. Councilman Rizzo? 64 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120
I just wanted to ask the counsel about the definition of "work to be completed," but I think I've read this amendment now, and I think I understand it better. But do you have any concern about "the agreement shall provide that this work be completed within three years." The definition of "completed," I think, should be clarified so there's no gray area here.
I'm satisfied that we should be off the job in less than three years, but three years is fine
But completed, does that mean if something isn't -- if in one particular dwelling, the garage door's not on, does that mean that it's not completed?
Yeah, can I answer that question? In this agreement, what it will state is not so much that the houses necessarily have to be completed. What we're looking for in this, and what the Councilman was looking for, is the infrastructure will be completed: The roads will be 65 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 there, the sidewalks will be there, the curbs will be there. Whether the garage doors meet all of the neighbors' needs is not a part of this agreement.
But, again, I understood that after I read it carefully, that we're talking about the manhole covers, light posts, hydrants, valves, etc. But, again, it's kind of vague when you use "completed." "Completed" to you could be different than they perceive it, and I think the word "completed" should be addressed here so we understand what it exactly means.
Well, again, what this does is, it authorizes the Streets Department to enter into an agreement with these folks, and if they're not satisfied with it, it just authorizes us to enter into a contract with them. If they're not satisfied with the terms of that contract, that's always open for negotiation. So that's what we'll do with that --
Councilman Rizzo, 66 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 are you offering an amendment to remove the word "completed"? Would you like to offer that?
I am, Councilman, and I appreciate you nailing the City down on what they're looking for.
Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses from the committee? (No further questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
To the Mastromarco family: Buona fortuna! Have a nice day.
I don't want to be out of line, but the next ordinance also relates to this job.
We will read the title to the next one. - - - 67 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES BILL 020121
Bill 020121, an ordinance 3 authorizing the paving of Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020121. This is not an administration ordinance 11 but an ordinance requested by Requested by Mr. Carl Mastromarco, President of Marco Brothers, Incorporated. The purpose of this ordinance is to pave Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue and to facilitate the development of 50 new single-family dwellings. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses from the committee? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? 68 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES BILL 020121 (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. And thank you, thank you for your testimony. - - - 69 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117
Bill No. 020117, an ordinance 3 amending Section 9-204 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Vendors in Center City," by exempting sidewalk sales by owners and tenants of properties in the 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300 blocks of Pine Street, and permitting such activity under certain terms and conditions.
While the witnesses are coming up, I would like to take this time also to thank the Mastromarco family for their continuing not only interest, but faith, in the City of Philadelphia and for building new homes. Thank you for taking the time, and I know you do quality work, so I appreciate, on behalf of all of us, your interest in continuing developing market-rate housing in the City of Philadelphia. Thank you. (Witnesses come forward.)
Mr. Chairman, before I finish, I'd like to request a waiver of the rules on all of the bills testified on by the Streets Department this afternoon.
You got it. Done deal. Thank you. 70 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117